Local News

Merlin area residents have been calling Rural Metro Fire Department to ask why their apparatus have been seen driving around the North Valley Industrial Park. Rural Metro officials said they are currently training a dozen firefighters to drive and operate all the Type 1, Type 2 and Type 6 engines, water tenders and rescue vehicles for their agency. Officials said the four-day course uses nationally-recognized curriculum and takes the student through defensive driving school, cone course navigation and pumping operations. Upon successfully passing the final exam, students receive certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. This particular training is conducted annually and often utilizes the quiet streets inside the local industrial park. Rural Metro thanks surrounding businesses for their patience this week.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Williams man for threatening his wife during a violent disturbance at the couple's rural home this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested the 74-year-old male subject at a residence in the 300-block of Kincaid Road on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her husband was "out of control." She said he was "manic" while throwing things and yelling at her, which was not common behavior for him. She added that this was his first such episode in several years. She was not hurt despite broken glass all over their house. According to the report, the woman asked deputies to be cautious as she was not sure how her husband would react to their arrival. When advised that deputies were on the way, she thanked dispatchers. Upon arrival, deputies placed the husband into custody without further incident. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office incarcerated a Cave Junction woman for becoming violent with her family members this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 500-block of North Old Stage Road early Tuesday morning. Deputies said a female caller reported that 33-year-old Meghan Melissa Gomez had hit her and assaulted her mother. Dispatchers could hear a woman yelling in the background and the caller advised that she was afraid, adding that the front door of the house had been broken off by the suspect. Upon arrival, deputies detained Gomez and found the rest of the family had locked themselves in a bedroom in order to stay away from her. Gomez was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was booked for Domestic Strangulation. She was being held without bail. Jail records show Gomez was arrested for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing in October 2024, but the District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for violating his probation by possessing drugs in the north part of the city this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a trespassing complaint at a business in the 1800-block of NE 7th Street on Tuesday morning. Police said the business owner reported several people on their property hiding behind buildings and digging through the dumpster. The caller wanted them removed from the premises. Officers arrived on scene and contacted 38-year-old Jordan Ellis Haas who was trying to conceal a small smoking device and tin foil. A consent search located a glass pipe which field-tested positive for both methamphetamine and fentanyl. The pipe was seized for destruction and the suspect's corrections officer was contacted. Haas was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth and Fentanyl Possession plus the resulting Probation Violation related to previous arrests for Failure to Report as a Sex Offender, Escape and Criminal Trespass. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested three sisters for allegedly stealing from their employer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint at Walmart on NE Terry Lane on Tuesday afternoon. Police said Walmart loss prevention had detained the sisters -- including two twins -- in their office for partaking in a string of thefts involving skip-scanning while using the shopping app at the store. The exact amount was likely less than $200. According to the report, one of the 23-year-old sisters admitted to stealing waters. Upon arrival, officers charged the sibling trio with 3rd-Degree Theft. All three were cited to appear in court and then released.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District knocked down an electrical fire in Cave Junction last night. On Wednesday at 6:29 p.m., IVFD crews responded to a reported electrical fire in the 300-block of Kerby Avenue. Firefighters arrived on scene and confirmed the blaze was contained and put out a short time later. No injuries were reported. According to IVFD officials, the occupants were advised to contact a qualified electrician for further investigation.

 

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue joined Rural Metro Fire Department this week for a flammable liquids and gas exercise provided by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. This training simulates an off-gassing of tanks that have caught fire. The V-technique is done to protect responders and the surrounding area to safely turn off the tank. While training, a missing child report came in from the Fred Meyer area. Grants Pass crews were able to locate the child with the assistance of Fred Meyer employees and the Grants Pass Police Department. Even when training, fire officials said the community comes first!

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to formally file an appeal against the statewide wildfire hazard map. The 3-0 vote by the Board followed a presentation by County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks. Hicks said a large number of signatures have been gathered from citizens who are also filing appeals and they will be attached to the Josephine County appeal. He said the wildfire hazard map came from what he called "a flawed process," citing nine specific areas. He said the county's appeal will be sent out as soon as possible. In other business, the Board held a public hearing and then approved setting a new fee schedule for the Fairgrounds pertaining to the former OSU Extension Service Office building located off Ringuette Street. Recreation Director Tamra Martin testified the building -- which has two separate wings separated by a commercial kitchen -- is now available for use by the public. The fee schedule calls for renting the full auditorium or separate wings at different rates for Monday-Thursday and Friday-Sunday for both public and private events. Hourly rates will pertain to community education and youth education clubs. The Commissioners also voted to approve a letter of support for a proposed historical monument for the Waldo Mining District, which was established in 1851.

 

The Grants Pass City Council on Wednesday night reversed course and voted to appoint Stephanie Nutall as the new City Attorney. Led by former Councilor Dwayne Yunker who opposed Nutall's appointment in early January, the newly-seated panel denied her appointment. But last night, they voted 5-3 to appoint the former The City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance that added new public noticing requirements for certain land use applications. For all Type 3 and Type 4 applications, developers must increase the mailing radius of public notices from 100 feet to 200 feet, have on-site postings that include public hearing meeting information and hold a neighborhood meeting for all new residential developments of 50 or more dwelling units. The Council also approved a resolution awarding funds for the Spring 2025 Cycle of the Sustainable Tourism Grant Program to seven applicants. Grants of $5,000 were awarded to Operation Rambo, Southern Oregon Innovation Hub and the Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association. Grants of $2,500 were awarded to Rogue Valley Classic Cruisers, Blaze-N Monkeys LLC, Grants Pass Museum of Art and the Grants Pass Active Club.